The editor’s choice on iOS and winner of the Apple Design Award in 2019, Thumper: Pocket Edition, has been released onto the Apple Arcade. This means that an Apple Arcade account is now all you need to have access to the game. In Thumper Pocket Edition the player is challenged to navigate as a beetle through a sleek and minimalist modern world. Essentially, it’s a musical rhythm runner game with glowing, vivid visuals and an original soundtrack. In order to finish the level, one must time their movements perfectly with the music in order to keep the beetle on beat. As the levels progress, new moves are added to increase the complexity of the gameplay as well as intense, challenging boss battles.
There are nine levels to the game all with up to 120 FPS on supported devices. The game can be played on iPad, iPhone, and MacBook. Developers, Drool LLC, have stated that wired headphones are recommended for the best experience. Bluetooth headphones do also work, but there is a possibility of a lag. In a game so dependent on timing, it’s worth it for players to have the fastest most reliable connection possible.
Described on the app store as
“utterly mesmerizing. It’s a brutal test of reaction time and an awe-inspiring dive into kaleidoscopic dreamscapes. The music and sound effects swell and pound with ominous tension, making this blistering sprint through light and writhing shapes feel like a vital struggle for survival. Music games rarely squeeze your emotions in such a menacing grip.”
Thumper Pocket Edition is available for download on both the App Store and the Apple Arcade. An Apple Arcade subscription costs $5.99 a month with a first month’s free trial. Along with Thumper’s Pocket Edition you receive exclusive access to over 200 other apple arcade mobile games for no additional charge. The app by itself is $4.99, so there is definitely a strong incentive to purchase a subscription if this is a game you are interested in.